SUNIL HIRASINGH RATHOD Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Through the above mentioned four Appeals, five accused persons assail the judgment and order of conviction and sentence passed in Special Case No. 60 of 2015 by the Special Judge, Mumbai on 18th August 2018 and seek their acquittal, on reversing the impugned judgment holding them guilty of the offence punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 Appeal No. 1039 of 2018 is filed by two appellants, Vilas Ganpati Khillari, Assistant Engineer and Balaji Gurupadabba Birajdar, Sub-Engineer working in MCGM, F/North Zone, E Ward, Byculla. In Appeal No. 1137 of 2018, the applicant is one Sunil Rathod, Executive Engineer, MCGM, F/North Zone, E Ward, Byculla, Mumbai. Appeal No.1102 of 2018 is instituted by Satish B. Palav working as Liaison Officer through Architect engaged by the complainant and fourth Appeal vide No.1114 of 2018 is filed by Narayan J. Patil, a private person. In view of the order passed on 22th October 2018 in Criminal Application No.1611 of 2018, in Appeal No.1137/2018, the hearing of the Appeal was expedited. The office made the Appeal ready for final hearing in the month of April 2021 along with the connected Appeals. By consent of all the parties, the Appeals were taken up for hearing.

(2.) Learned Senior Counsel Mr.Amit Desai represent the appellant Sunil Rathod, Advocate Niranjan Mundargi represent the appellants Khillari and Birajdar and he also represent the appellant Narayan Patil. Advocate Girish Kulkarni a/w Advocate Kartik Garg represent the appellant Mr.Palav. In all the Appeals, State is represented by the learned APP Mr.Agarkar.

(3.) The appellants are described by their nomenclature during the trial, in view of the distinct appeals which they have filed.